Kalinga Apayao State College embarks in Arabica coffee, macadamia nuts production

Submitted by baguiocitydotcom on Sun, 09/11/2011 - 07:39

By:

GIGI DUMALIG / PIA KALINGA

Posted: 11-Sep-2011 / 6 years 2 weeks ago

TABUK CITY, Kalinga- The Kalinga Apayao State College (KASC) is now embarking in the research and production of Hawaiian Arabica Coffee and macadamia nuts in the province.

With support from the MacNut Phils Inc., KASC recently launched the program starting with the planting of some 1,000 seedlings of Arabica coffee particularly the Typica variety in a one hectare demo farm.

MacNut Phils Inc., President Jorge Disuanco said this marks the partnership of the college and the MacNut in propagating said variety in the province.

“Our goal is to make farmers rich and contented by engaging in Arabica coffee and macadamia nuts production and processing,” he said relating that the company would be working with the farmers through the KASC.

MacNut would serve as the buyer provided that the farmers comply with the conditions of the company such as the implementation of organic processes from planting to harvesting which is vital in meeting the demands of the international market whose consumers are now very much health conscious.

MacNut Phils Inc. Technical Consultant David Santos emphasized the need for farmers to get their seedlings from the company to ensure the quality of plants. Seedlings are being prepared using new technologies, he said.

According to Santos, MacNut particularly selected macadamia nuts and Arabica Coffee for their product lines considering the health benefits and usage of said plants in helping preserve the environment.

The free seedlings given to KASC d came from the MacNut’s nursery. Seedlings could be bought from their nurseries at Tarlac, Baguio City, Quezon, Nueva Viscaya, Davao and Bukidnon, he said.

In a message, KASC President Eduardo Bagtang said this project is part of the college’s program to bring to Kalinga the world’s best high value crop varieties to guarantee that the province’s products will meet global market demands and someday improve the lives of all farmers engaged in agri-business in the province.

“The Kalinga people deserve the best world product not only for sale but most especially for consumption,” he said as he encouraged the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to utilize some of their funds for the same endeavor.

He suggested that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the national re-greening program to opt for the planting of high value fruit bearing trees such as the Arabica Typica Coffee variety and macadamia nuts to ensure that a long lasting program instead of planting trees which could be just harvested for lumber or firewood after a few years. *(JDP/GGD- PIA CAR,Kalinga)